Combined effort helps pave the way to sustainable packaging

A  national packaging target will see 100 per cent of Australia’s packaging become reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. The goal also includes targeting plastic packaging by moving to 70 per cent recyclable or compostable plastic packaging by 2025. Problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging will also be phased out through design, innovation or introduction of alternatives.

Global companies such as Nestlé, Unilever, Coca-Cola Amatil and Jet Technologies are making improvements to meet these standards. In late September, the federal government launched an official Australasian recycling label as an important tool for achieving the 2025 targets. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) explained that the new evidence-based system is designed to combat confusion about recycling as there are currently more than 200 recycling labels.

Minister for the environment, Melissa Price, said the label provides people with easy-to-understand recycling information when they need it most – in those few seconds when they are deciding what bin the package goes in. “The label removes confusion and reduces waste,” she said.

More than 50 Australian businesses have committed to the program, with the label now being used by brands including Woolworths, Officeworks, Nestlé, Unilever and Plantic. These APCO members, and others such as Jet Technologies, Blackmores and Australia Post, have committed to the design, manufacture and use of packaging that will ensure recyclable packaging.

Packaging: small and large matters
Whether it’s a wrapper covering a bite-sized chocolate morsel, or box of refreshing beverages, the target is aimed at all food and beverage packaging. Jet Technologies gives its clients solutions for numerous packaging challenges, including offering recyclable packaging for the beverage industry down to small items such as wine hoods that sit on large recyclable glass bottles. The company is working closely with APCO to meet the 2025 packaging goals.